A/N: Alright, due to immense demand, here's an epilogue for all of you, my lovely readers, so I'd better get some reviewy love in return! Seriously, though, I loved writing this chapter, this story, the whole thing. I also loved all the support and feedback from you guys, it kept me going. Now, read and enjoy, because this was just for you! :D

The water was warm as it gushed over her hands from the tap. Copper brushed the sopping rag over the plate, suds leaving a bubbly trail before she bent to set the dish in the dishwasher. A glance out the window revealed low-hanging clouds, a light mist enveloping much of the little garden she had planted last week. Her lips curved as she stretched the muscles in her shoulders, letting out a content sigh.

The kitchen was covered in cookware and ingredients, pots bubbling and pans sizzling on every eye of the stove. Mindfully, Copper cast her eye back and nodded to herself, satisfied that nothing needed her immediate attention. Finishing her self-appointed chore, she closed the washer with a snap, spinning the knob and watching it rumble to life. Moving to the counter, she picked up a large spoon, dipping it in the batter she had already mixed. Flicking her tongue across the sweet goop as she held up the utensil, she let out a hum of approval.

"That's going to be so good," she murmured with a pleased smile.

Copper turned her head to ask something, but not before a loud clang echoed through the space, followed by a series of tiny coughs.

Flour billowed up at the other end of the kitchen, covering her cupboards and countertop in white. It floated in the air before descending to coat the mixture for the deviled eggs and the dressing. A tiny being rubbed at its eyes, sniffling pitifully, a metal bowl still rattling at bare feet before finally coming to a stop. Copper couldn't even tell the color of the hair.

She sighed, though her smile didn't waver. Grabbing a different dishrag, she dampened it and knelt down.

"Ellie, love, come here."

A whimper escaped the child as her mother softly wiped away the flour from her face, revealing blue eyes that glittered too brightly.

"Shush, now, baby doll, it's alright."

"But-but Mama, wh-mmph!"

Her protests were temporarily cut off as the cloth scrubbed around her mouth, Copper's slender fingers gently grasped her daughter's chin. Her round, cherub cheeks pinked from distress and cleaning and Copper gave her a reassuring smile.

"You were trying to be a big girl and help Mama, right?"

Her daughter nodded as vigorously as possible with her mother's hand cupping her face. Carefully dabbing at the tears that threatened to spill, she released Ellie's chin and ruffled the girl's soft hair. Flour filled the air once again, revealing dark ringlets. A tiny hand swiped at a button nose before flailing behind her.

"Daddy's gonna be mad at me, isn't he?"

Copper bit her tongue to keep from laughing, the expression that would be on her husband's face surfacing in her mind. Instead, she shook her head, running fingers through the curly strands, then scooped up the child, who started giggling before frowning at her mother.

"You shouldn't pick me up like tha', Mama!" the girl scolded, little brows drawing together, "You squish her!"

Ellie squirmed in Copper's arms, leaning over her mother's arm to rub her hand over her softly swollen belly. Copper's lips twitched.

"And what makes you so sure it's a 'her', Ellie love?"

The four year old grinned impishly.

"I know 'cause the uni..ubiber…'cause Space said so," she pointed up wards, "And because I wanna a lil sister," she answered proudly, causing Copper's laughter to finally spill out.

Still chuckling, she set her daughter down.

"You've been talking to Grandpa again, haven't you?" she swatted the child's rear, inciting a happy shriek, "Now go take a fast bath before he and the rest of the family gets here. Use soap!" she called after her.

As Ellie darted out of the kitchen, another dark haired child walked in, carrying a large back in each arm, pausing in the doorway. Grey eyes blinked in amazement.

"Wow, Mom, what'd you do, conjure a blizzard like Merlin?"

At eleven year's old, Mary Elizabeth had begun to show not only her father's scientific aptitude, but also her mother's penchant for sarcasm. She had also inherited Copper's ringlets, much like her younger sister. However, where Ellie's hair was almost black, much like her dad's, Mary's was more of a dark auburn. She was tall for her age and Copper could see that her eldest would be a very gangly, but beautiful, teenager. Perhaps, if she was lucky, there would also be a lack of the typical attitude.

"No, no, your sister was trying to be helpful and it backfired on her," Copper replied with her hands on her hips.

"Apparently," the older girl muttered, setting down the bags in her arms on the small kitchen table, tucking a stray, errant curl behind her ear, "So when is everyone gonna get here, Mom?"

"I'm not entirely certain, love, but I believe it'll be soon," she bent down to check on the large turkey baking in the oven.

"Is Tyler coming?"

Copper nodded, schooling her features so that her amusement wouldn't show. Mary Elizabeth had become rather attached to Howard and Bernadette's son, to the point that her mother suspected a crush. It was cute, but she'd never tell her daughter that; there were plenty more years yet to torment her with parental embarrassment.

"What about Uncle Raj?"

Copper shook her head.

"I don't think so, baby doll. He's spending the holiday with his family in India."

"Oh," the sound was disappointed and she moved to pat her child's shoulder in empathy.

"Would you go check on Ellie and make sure she's taking a bath like I told her to? I can't hear any water running."

Mary Elizabeth placed a large can of sweet corn on the counter before nodding, touching her mother's hand briefly.

"Sure, Mom."

With that, she strode back through the doorway, passing her father as he came in, a third child clinging to his back like a monkey as he carried in the last two grocery bags. Sparkling blue eyes glinted with mischief as agile fingers busily attempted to snatch the sweet rolls that lay temptingly at the very top of the bags.

"C'mon, Daddy, just one? I promise I'll only eat one, so please?"

Matching cobalt eyes met as the father craned his neck to peer over his shoulder at his middle daughter. Copper saw his lips twitch as he set down the bags, then reached around to pluck the six year old from his back, swinging her around as she let out a happy squeal into his arms. Looking down at her, he gave her a skeptical glance.

"You realize that promises made in an attempt to assuage me that you will adhere to set rules in order to break a different one hardly constitutes as convincing, Mason."

Copper kept her head down to hide her amusement. She had had such a difficult time convincing her husband that Mason was a lovely name. He had often told her during that pregnancy, once they had found out they would be having another girl, that he failed to see the logic behind giving a girl a boy name. When she had explained that it was a version of Sheldon, and one that could be feminine, he had warmed to the idea considerably.

Unlike her eldest daughter, who was exceptionally laid-back, Mason was a walking, talking, bouncing ball of liveliness. She was constantly doing something, a born fidgeter just like her mother. It had taken two trips to the hospital for broken bones before Sheldon had even considered signing one of his precious prodigies into something as frivolous as dancing classes. Once Mason's energy at home showed a significant drop, so much so that she hadn't even attempted to climb the new trellis that led to the second floor, he had begun spouting the virtues of after school athletic activities to anyone that would listen.

"Daddy, please?" her voice went higher, batting her long eyelashes at her father pleadingly and Copper knew he was going to give. He could never hold out against any of his daughters when they pulled that classic tactic.

Dropping Mason down onto her feet, he handed her a roll and she grinned up at him. Tugging him down for a big kiss on his cheek, she bolted out the back door and into the yard, treat clamped firmly between her teeth. He let out a sigh and she bit her lip as she stirred

the pot of green beans, then checked on the eggs boiling on the opposite eye.

"You realize that you're completely at the mercy of those three?"

Sheldon glared at her over his shoulder as he put away the items not immediately needed. Finishing the task, he stepped around the island and stood behind his wife, wrapping his long arms around her waist. His hands rested on her belly as she nuzzled her nose against his neck as he pressed a soft kiss to her temple.

"Where's Mary Elizabeth and Eleanor?"

"I sent our oldest to go check on Ellie. The little one tried to be helpful," she gestured to the mess at the far end of the kitchen and he grimaced.

He never called their daughters anything but their given names. Although he didn't protest to her use of endearments, he despised her use of nicknames. He had always hated being called Shelly by his family and he refused to be the cause of any emotional trauma to his girls.

That was how she knew that he really hadn't been thinking about when they reached the age to date.

His fingertips were tracing light circles over the t-shirt that covered her stomach as she stretched her arm towards a measuring cup at her left, stirring the melted butter into a large pot of rice. The smell made her mouth water and she was thankful that so far nothing really made her nauseous during this pregnancy. Her previous three had all been trying in that regard, leaving her unable to eat any particular food more often than once a week.

He glanced towards the flour explosion and shook his head mildly.

"Well, it was an attempt born out of a desire for approval and an expression of affection, so it's an excellent indicator of her furthering development. I'm pleased we agreed to read to them such advanced material for their age groups."

Copper snorted softly.

"You mean my successful bribery of you so that they could become as obsessed with J.R.R. Tolkien as I am."

His lips ghosted across her ear, his breath fanning against the skin of her neck, leaving goosebumps in its wake.

"I believe we both benefit from that particular arrangement," he murmured, nibbling at the sensitive spot just beneath her ear and making her shiver.

Playfully, she batted him away.

"Enough with your amorous advances, I'm trying to feed your growing army, plus our families."

He seemed to relent, but his hands remained on her belly, a small smile on his lips.

It always amazed her how far he had come, especially when it came to their children. She could remember when Mary Elizabeth was born, he had held her even before she had. The look in his eyes as her tiny fingers wrapped around his larger one was an expression that Copper had never seen before; absolute adoration. It was a look that was always present when it came to their daughters. With every birth, he was the personification of anxiety, agonizing over everything from school to hygiene to his ability to be a good father, and they were concerns that she knew he didn't just let go of. All the same, she thought he had adapted exceptionally well. The corner of her lip quirked, his admonishment about genius echoing in her ears.

"Surely you have a few moments to allow your husband a chance to express his admiration of you. However, I'm a patient man and you have a logical point. Which reminds me, what did the doctor say?"

She didn't get a chance to answer as the doorbell began to ring insistently. Reaching up, she cupped his cheek and pressed a chaste kiss to his lips.

"Later," she promised, the word carrying a hidden meaning that had his eyes darkening with interest.

Smiling to herself, Copper shooed him out of the kitchen to answer the door as she resumed preparing the feast she had planned. They were celebrating Thanksgiving early, as they always did. With such a far-flung family, it was a practical decision.

As she opened the second oven to put in the biscuits she had just finished making, her brother walked in, his hands in the pockets of his denim jacket. She straightened with a grin.

"Malachi!"

"Hey, Smokey, long time no see," his voice boomed out as he swept her into his arms, spinning her around once.

He set her down and ran a hand over her stomach, leaning down a bit.

"And hello to you too, kid."

Copper rolled her eyes, but couldn't help beaming at him. It was always wonderful to see him. She ran a cursory hand through the bright red bristles of his buzzed haircut.

"What happened, the Apaches come through and claim a scalp?" she teased and his cheeks flushed a little.

"Nah, new job. Joined up with the Air Force."

Copper felt a lump gather in her throat, but she forced a bright smile. She could only imagine what their mother was thinking.

"That's…that's awesome! I'm proud of you."

He grinned at her, clearly pleased as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other, crossing his arms.

"Yeah? Huh, so all I had to do was join the military?"

She punched him in the arm and he yelped, glaring at her.

"Not cool," she scolded him just as Emily and Fred came through the doorway.

Her father pressed a kiss to her cheek as he mother patted her arm.

"Whatever he did, don't let it bother you, dear, not in your condition," her mother admonished gently.

Fred patted her stomach, his quiet eyes dreamy.

"Ah, this one has a strong aura. Lots of energy, like Mason. You're going to have your hands full, love."

"And I don't already?" his daughter asked with a wry smile.

Emily turned to her son and husband.

"Out, you two, give us room to work in here. Malachi, would you be kind enough to please fetch Mary Elizabeth for us, if she's finished helping her sister? Oh, and Fred, don't you dare give those girls their presents until after dinner. I want to see their expressions."

He practically wilted beneath her stern gaze, muttering a quiet acquiescence. Grasping his son by the shoulder, they retreated and Copper shook her head.

"I'll never know how you did it, Mama."

The older woman just smiled serenely, lifting an apron from the hook that hung from the wall near the doorway. Tying it's string neatly behind her, she smoothed it over her tweed skirt. Even retired, she refused to dress in anything else.

"Just direct me to where you need a hand, darling. Good lord, what happened to your kitchen?"

The redhead's smile was amused.

"Ellie."

Emily shook her head.

"That poor, sweet thing. She reminds me so much of you at that age. Always wanting lend a hand and not knowing where to put it."

Copper chuckled as she hovered near the stove.

"Then she's like both of us. Why do you think her middle name is Emily?"

The doorbell rang again and Copper excused herself to answer it. Checking the window, she grinned and threw open the door. She was instantly wrapped in a warm hug as two pairs of arms enveloped her.

"Penny! Oh, I'm so glad you guys could make it."

Bright green eyes sparkled at her mischievously as her friend and her husband pulled back. The blonde held her at arm's length to get a good look at her.

"You look wonderful, Smokey."

Copper snorted at her.

"You said the same thing yesterday."

"What's wrong with complimenting a beautiful woman, hmm?"

The question came from Leonard, who wrapped an arm loosely around his wife as two blonde blurs streaked past the three of them, twin voices shrieking for Mason. Copper put a hand on her hip as she ushered her friends inside.

"Looks like Mason Olivia's going to have quite the admirers in those two when they get older."

Penny and Leonard's two boys, Wyatt and Dalton, were thick as thieves with her middle daughter, Dalton, the younger, and Mason in the same class. Together, they were a holy terror, nothing and no one safe or sacred when it came to their tricks. Mason was the brains of the operation, however, her deviousness more than a match for her parents' wits. Oh, the teenage years were going to be murder.

"Tell me about it! She's all they talk about at home," Penny laughed.

"It's mutual, don't worry. I think Sheldon's in the den, if you want to say hello."

Matter of fact, as she was hanging up their coats in the hall closet, Sheldon walked past her, leaning down to brush his lips against the top of her head. Copper caught his hand and he paused, looking over at her curiously.

"I want to tell you what the doctor said now," she said, her eyes glittering with excitement.

"Oh, alright."

It was the first time that he hadn't been with her when she had an ultrasound. But Mary Elizabeth wasn't quite old enough to stay with her sisters by herself and there just wasn't anyone else to stay with them. He regretted not being able to go, the kiss he gave her a remorseful one, though the smile he gave their children was genuine. He loved spending time with them, the rare, true smiles that he had, reserved for them.

She linked their fingers, placing them over her abdomen. Sheldon looked at their hands, then up at her.

"Another girl?"

Copper grinned, her thumb rubbing against his knuckles.

"We've got a trooper, Captain Cooper."

He shook his head at her with an exasperated sigh.

"Honestly, you're constant need to be linguistically clever only manages to drive me t-" he stopped suddenly with a frown, as if processing her words for the first time.

Then a huge grin started, one of the very few that he ever gave her. It was like she had become one of those equations that only he had been able to solve. She had seen it only a handful of times, discoveries of expectancy included.

"A boy?"

She smirked at him, running her fingertips along his cheek affectionately, loving that after twelve years together, she could finally do that freely.

"You must be excited, you're not only stating the obvious, but also repeating what I've already-hmmph!"

He didn't seem to be paying attention to her words, making her suspicion concrete when he swooped down and captured her lips in a searing kiss. Sheldon's arms wrapped around her waist, one palm sliding deliciously up her spine to cup the back of her neck. She cradled his head between her hands, holding him close as he sent heat skittering up her spine. When they parted, she was breathless and he was still grinning.

"Would you have been that happy with another girl?" she teased mildly.

The second kiss held her answer.

"Whoa, Mom, Dad! Four's enough, trust me! I don't need another sister to babysit! Rabbits, I swear, you two are like rabbits…"

They parted to look at their eldest, who was leaning against the doorframe with a disgruntled expression and an apron wrapped around her waist.

"Oh, I don't know, I think I'd like a fourth girl," Copper gave her daughter a toothy grin.

Mary Elizabeth's eyebrows rose before she squealed, launching at her parents with her arms wide. Suddenly Mason and Ellie's curly heads were poking around the corner that led to the stairwell.

"What was tha' for, May May?" asked the littlest one of her oldest sibling, calling out the name that she had spoken even before she had said 'Mama'.

Mary Elizabeth turned to her sisters, her face alight with glee.

"Mom's gonna have a boy!" she crowed, and Copper shook her head as the sound of footsteps echoed through the house.

She looked up at her husband with a happy sigh as her their other daughters whooped and tackled their father, mindful of their newly discovered brother.

Later that night, when the exhausted pair finally crawled into bed, Copper laid her head on Sheldon's chest as his arm wrapped around her, splayed fingers skimming the smooth skin of her shoulder.

"I'm going to tell you right now, Sheldon is out," she murmured tiredly, her quiet laugh taking any sting out of her words, "The world isn't ready for another one."

"Lee?" he asked softly and she nodded.

"I like that. What about a first name?"

He glanced down at her in the dimness of their bedroom.

"We always pick together," he protested and she shushed him.

Even after all these years he still hated changes to any kind of routine.

"I know, I know, it was just a request for imput," he nodded and she removed her fingers from his lips.

When she was silent in thought for a while, he brushed away the russet ringlets that threatened to fall into her eyes.

"Well, Dr. McIntyre?"

Her gaze was thoughtful was her hands softly ran across the fuzzy material of his plaid pajamas. She had declined to take his last name when they married, preferring her own, citing that Copper Cooper just sounded like a porn star. Sheldon had balked, but ultimately agreed when she also pointed out that there was only one Dr. Cooper. The remembrance made her grin; an appeal to his larger than life ego usually worked in her favor.

"I like Caleb," she said finally and he nodded.

"I concur."

She laughed again.

"Well, at least this time I didn't have to fight you for it."

Just as he was leaning in to kiss her, a tiny voice from the hallway caught their attention.

"Daddy?"

Sheldon rolled over to look and Copper leaned on her elbows to give her smallest daughter a concerned glance. The child clutched a large stuffed dog, her little arms wrapped tightly around it and squeezing it to her chest.

"What is it, Eleanor?"

Ellie's blue eyes were clouded with unshed tears as she padded further into her parents' room. She didn't answer and she didn't have to, her father scooping her up and placing her between them. Copper pressed a kiss to her forehead and smoothed the untidy mop of dark curls. Deep even breaths began and Sheldon's eyes met hers over the top of their daughter's head, his hand reaching out to first brush Ellie's cheek, then caress his wife's swelling belly.

It wasn't a perfect rhythm, but it was one they followed together all the same.